Attorney General Bonta Secures Two-Year Sentence Against Los Angeles Caretaker for Elder Abuse

Monday, August 8, 2022
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Bonta today announced the sentencing of Jose de Jesus Quiroz, a Los Angeles County certified nursing assistant and caretaker for elderly and dependent persons, for sexually abusing an elderly dependent in a skilled nursing facility where Quiroz was employed. Following a jury trial in the Los Angeles County Superior Court in April, Quiroz was found guilty of two counts: one count of misdemeanor elder abuse and one count of felony sexual battery on an elderly or dependent adult. Today, Quiroz was sentenced in the Los Angeles County Superior Court and is set to serve two years in state prison. As part of his sentence, Quiroz will be required to register as a lifetime sex offender and pay restitution in an amount to be later determined by the Court.
 
“Caretaking is an honorable profession that provides support, attention, and understanding to elders and their loved ones; those who violate this trust and abuse our elders will be held accountable under the law,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today, Jesus Quiroz was sentenced to state prison for his shameful actions. The California Department of Justice will continue to use the full force of the law to protect the rights and well-being of our elderly community. I urge Californians to report any suspected mistreatment of our elderly to our Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse at oag.ca.gov/dmfea/reporting.”

In August 2018, Quiroz sexually abused one dependent resident after escorting her to the restroom in the facility where Quiroz was employed. Today, Quiroz was sentenced to serve two years in state prison. Currently, Quiroz is on bail pending appeal. As part of his sentence, Quiroz has also been ordered to register as a sex offender and pay restitution in an amount to be later set by the Court. The criminal investigation into Quiroz was conducted by the Attorney General’s Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (DMFEA) in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. DMFEA investigates and prosecutes those responsible for abuse, neglect, and fraud committed against elderly and dependent adults across the state. DMFEA also works to protect Californians by investigating and prosecuting those who perpetrate fraud on the Medi-Cal program. DMFEA regularly works with whistleblowers, the California Department of Health Care Services, and local law enforcement agencies in its investigations and prosecutions. You can report incidences of abuse or Medi-Cal fraud at https://oag.ca.gov/dmfea/reporting.

DMFEA receives 75% of its funding from HHS under a grant award totaling $50,522,020 for federal fiscal year 2021-2022. The remaining 25% is funded by the State of California. The federal fiscal year is defined as October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022.

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